Once I finish my Masters degree in another year and a half I think my fist big purchase will be a 2002-2003 M3. Although I am also consitering a 911 that would be a few years older. What do you guys think I should aim for? any other suggestions?

Sound like great choices too me... i might pick up a white M3 Convertible same years as you want for the summer as an everyday car....

Good choices, stick with them!

Just_me: no I wish i was the person in the avater ... He was the wisest (spelling??) Arab presedint in the last couple of decades .. the man who changed UAE from desert to what it is right now .. he passed away last year and it was the most horrible thing UAE residents faced .. he was like a father to all UAE ppl .. H.H. Sheik Zayed Bin Sultan AlNahyan - the former ruler of UAE .. u can ask any of the locals or foriegners why they all loved and still love him .. Ahmed please continue am out of words ..

don't you think of a Volvo S60

Anyway, i'm thinking of the new Clio 3, or maybe a used 3er coupe. I'll buy that car probably next spring. BTW, it has to cost sth around 15000 eur.

There are already too many swedes with Volvo, The most selling car in Sweden. Although Saab is pretty common as well I like this version more than S60. Sorry about that,

Next car, realistically, a Golf V Sportline. The GTI has all the options and is a pretty attractive car, but it's hard to justify the added expense, not only in purchase price but insurance and stuff. However, I suppose it would be the ideal in most respects.

Otherwise, the E90 3er seems possible; I've never been the greatest BMW fan but in all honesty it's probably the most complete compact exec out there, though not without its faults. The A4 might be an interesting choice, but somehow I can't get over the idea of buying something so late in the model cycle (well, I count the B6-B7 transition as a facelift still). The Volvo V50 was interesting until I realised that it's almost the price of an A4 wagon (~AUD$50k) and it has fewer 'small' features that I like, and the resale value is nowhere near as good.

Not sure about Japanese options. Accord Euro Luxury seems like a good deal. I'm a bit less enthusiastic about the Mazda 6 than I used to be. Heck, if the new Camry turns out really, really well, it could even be a possibility. I'm a little less keen on the Liberty as the lower spec ones (I can't justify GT or a 3.0) only get 4-speed auto, and are a little deficient in some areas IMO, like general cabin ambience and seating material.

You don't have to be sorry I didn't know that S60 sells that much in Sweden. Here in Patra there are no more than 5 !

S60 isnt the best seller of all Volvos, V70 is but S60 is common too.

Get a nice 3'er Just_Me, by far the car to go for...

I have a Z4- which I really like-
Next year I'll get two cars-
a used Subaru Forrester...don't laugh, they are a great drive and can handle small hauling chores and the occasional snow.
and I'll get either something fun and impractical- another BMW roadster
or wait a little longer and downsize to an A3/Volvo C30...if it turns out as nice as the spy pics/or a 1 series....which my dealer says will finally be imported into the US in 2006/7.